Bookshelf Roundup: 08/14/21: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I summarize what I’ve finished reading in the last week and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.
Okay, so we’re nearly halfway through the month and my reading output has been dismal! I have one more road trip coming up next week to visit the in-laws which will probably be our last time to get away before the summer ends, so hopefully my schedule will return to somewhat normal sooner rather than later, because between work and family obligations I feel like I’ve been running on fumes these past few weeks. Anyway, some posts have been scheduled in advance, but my online presence will probably be sparse to none until I get back. I look forward to catching up with everyone’s posts upon my return though, and hoo boy does my neglected TBR need some long overdue attention!
Received for Review
My thanks to the publishers and authors for the following review copies received, and be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages for more details and full descriptions!
A big thank you to Orbit Books for a hardcover of Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky, the first book of The Final Architecture series. I’m pretty excited, because as much as I appreciate his versatility in other genres, I very much prefer his sci-fi space opera. Also from the publisher I received The Pariah by Anthony Ryan, an all new epic fantasy trilogy from the author of the Raven’s Shadow books. I’m also looking forward to this one, but man, that’s one massive tome!
With thanks also to Angry Robot for Twenty-Five to Life by R.W.W. Greene. This was relatively new to me, but I am intrigued by the apocalyptic setting and the premise of using virtual reality to block it all out. I’m looking forward to exploring this one.
Thank you also to the awesome team at Tordotcom for this gorgeous copy of The Past is Red by Catherynne M. Valente. I can always count on her stuff to be pretty unique, and I’ve heard some great things about this book already, so I can’t wait to read it. I also received an ARC of Along the Saltwise Sea by A. Deborah Baker, which wasn’t even on my radar because apparently it’s the sequel of a book that spins off of Middlegame by Seanan McGuire, which I haven’t read (A. Deborah Baker is a pseudonym). I’m not sure if I’ll be completely lost if I haven’t read either Middlegame or Over the Woodward Wall but maybe someone who has can tell me if these Up-and-Under books are standalone?
And finally I also received a review copy of The Seventh Age: Dystopia by Rick Heinz. Thank you to the author for getting in touch and offering me this sequel to The Seventh Age: Dawn, which I read a few years ago and enjoyed!
On to the digital haul! With thanks to Penguin Random House Audio’s Listening Library imprint, I received ALCs of Burden Falls by Kat Ellis and The Woods Are Always Watching by Stephanie Perkins. Just a couple of YA horror novels to lighten the mood!
Also thanks to Hachette Audio for a listenign copy of Getaway by Zoje Stage, because how can I possibly resist anything described as a terrifying psychological thriller?
Last but not least, I just had to grab the eARC of The Beholden by Cassandra Rose Clarke when I saw it pop upon Edelweiss earlier this week. I’ve always enjoyed her work, and that cover is just stunning!
Reviews
The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones (3.5 of 5 stars)
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward (3.5 of 5 stars)
What I’ve Been Reading
Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read!
The BiblioSanctum 
I didn’t finish middlegame, but in every chapter there was this story being told, and I guess that is this new series? Another world? No idea, but yeah, I guess one should read book 1
LikeLike
Ooh, that must be where this series spun off then – apparently it’s based on a fictional book/author in the Middlegame world.
LikeLike
Best of luck on your next trip. Who can believe that summer is almost over already? Not me, that’s for sure…..
LikeLike
I got back a few days ago, but ugh, I was sooo tired and only catching up on blogs and comments now. Why do we always come back from vacation feeling like you need a vacation from the vacation 😛 But thanks we had fun! Can’t believe summer is fast coming to an end!
LikeLiked by 1 person
OOh nice haul! Super excited for The Woods Are Always Watching and Burden Falls! I love creepy reads at this time of year! Though I am getting a head start on them as I search for the perfect read to giveaway this Halloween! Lol!
Hope you enjoy all the lovely new reads!
My StS will be up tomorrow, so stop by then if you can!
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, I love to get a head start and read creepy books in Aug/Sept! Why wait, right? 😀
LikeLike
I’ve read both Middlegame and Over the Woodward Wall, and you can definitely read the Up and Under series without reading Middlegame, but Middlegame is way better!
LikeLike
Oh I’m so glad to hear that! I guess it’s good to know I can jump into this second book!
LikeLike
Oh, do I ever get that feeling of running on fumes this summer. it’s been brutal. Nice haul for when you’re back on track, though. I’ve been considering grabbing The Beholden, but this week already delivered more titles than I can handle.
LikeLike
Yes, it’s been really busy even with the kids out of school, because I guess they have more activities and we also have all these trips and family visits and obligations. Hard to believe summer is almost over though!
LikeLike
Some good ones this week! Hope things get back to normality for you soon so you can breathe again.
LikeLike
Thanks! I’m definitely not looking forward to the end of summer but also kind of am, if you know what I mean 😀
LikeLike
My reading has been terrible too, don’t feel bad! I blame the Olympics (convenient ha). Although that excuse is gone… anyway I’m curious about the Woods and Zoje Stage *gulp*
LikeLike
Yeah, I just feel guilty because I have a reading schedule for all these books and that’s just completely gone out the window this summer, lol! Thanks, I’m trying not to let it stress me out 😉
LikeLike
Lots of interesting books to look forward to here. The Pariah is long but for me it was totally worth it. A great introduction to the author. And the cover of The Beholden caught my eye, very interesting.
LikeLike
I’m so glad to hear that! I definitely have to make time for The Pariah next month, because I definitely won’t have time to fit it in what’s left of August 😛
LikeLike
Looks like you got some nice books! I really want to read Shards of Earth!
LikeLike
I’m hoping that will be good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean about running on fumes. What with almost two weeks of no wifi and then summer messing with my head and blogging – I’ll kind of be glad to get back to some normality.
Enjoy your road trip.
Lynn 😀
LikeLike
Thank you, we had a good time! But yes, I’m so ready for things to get back on a more “normal” schedule, lol!
LikeLike
We’ll be here when you get back. Have fun on your road trip! 😀
The Pariah caught my attention, probably because I’m in the mood for all epic fantasy books lately.
LikeLike
Thank you! We got back a few days ago and boy am I tired, lol! But We had a great time 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person